The Surprising Ritual Renaissance | with Bruce Feiler
From What Could Go Right? by The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas
May 27, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
Bestselling author Bruce Feiler discusses the renaissance of human connection through rituals in the modern age.
What happens when the traditional ways we gather and mourn start to disappear? Bestselling author Bruce Feiler joins host Zachary Karabell to discuss his latest book, A Time to Gather, and explore the modern celebration recession. Instead of yielding to isolation, Feiler reveals a surprising grassroots renaissance of human connection happening right now.Feiler shares deeply personal stories, from navigating his father's funeral to establishing a meaningful family ritual following the recent loss of his sister-in-law. Karabell and Feiler also discuss the dual nature of social media, highlighting how it acts as an amplification tool that helps democratize new traditions, like hospital honor walks for organ donors and even Taylor Swift-themed divorce parties.While acknowledging the very real threats of loneliness and the isolating effects of our digital lives, Feiler explains why he remains optimistic about our collective future. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and Kaleidoscope. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Subscribe to our (FREE) Substack newsletter…
People in this episode
Host: Zachary Karabell
Guest: Bruce Feiler
Topics covered
- rituals
- human connection
- social media
- loneliness
- traditions
- celebration recession
Keywords
- rituals
- human connection
- social media
- loneliness
- traditions
- celebration recession
- Bruce Feiler
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Progress Network, Kaleidoscope
Books & works: A Time to Gather
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